Monday, January 10, 2011

Page 99 of Surfacing

Here's a peek at page 99 of my contemporary fantasy, Surfacing.

“Busy again.” Chaz fell back for a moment, then charged ahead to fall into step with AJ. “Same girl?”“Yeah.” AJ held his pace even, though he wanted to run. Or shove Chaz. Anything to get away.“She must be some special kind of girl, for you to be so crazy about her so quick.” No matter how casual Chaz’s tone, he was interrogating AJ nonetheless.“She is.” Maybe if he kept his answers short, the dude would take the hint.The strain of trying to keep pace sounded in his breathy voice. “Cause I figured you more for a player, not someone who fell in love with a girl just like that.”AJ kept his gaze ahead, but felt Chaz’s constant stare. “She’s different.”“Different how?” Chaz stepped in front of AJ, his steely grey eyes bore into him.Oh, man. How did he pick up on the slightest nuance like that? AJ shrugged, his annoyance came through in his tone. “She’s nice. And smart. And funny. I like talking to her. Being with her.” He sounded like a drooling middle-schooler. And it wasn’t fooling Chaz one bit. His intense gaze cut through AJ’s bullshit lines. He knew.“She sounds really special.” The way he said it made AJ want to take a shower. Like he pictured her naked. AJ set his hands on his hips. “She is. I don’t want to mess things up.”The movement of Chaz’s head might have been a nod, might have been a nervous twitch. He didn’t release AJ from his crazy-eyed scrutiny.He had to get away from the creep. “Listen, we’ll work out a night, maybe next week. All right?”“Sure. Next week.” His eyes glazed, Chaz sounded far from convinced.“That’s what I said.” AJ shifted his legs, ready to sprint away the moment this damn conversation ended.“And you’re a man of your word.” Chaz tilted his head, and narrowed his eyes. “And in the meantime, maybe we could double-date. I’d like to meet this girl of yours.”AJ winced. “What? No.” With pouty lips, Chaz clucked his tongue. “Don’t be afraid, AJ. I won’t steal her from you.” His eyes shone with hate – or something more insidious.